Capt. Gerald Woodyard, formerly of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Harbor Division, says, “Being homeless is not a crime.” But, ask someone in the San Pedro community and you might get a different answer. The homeless count is meant to help communities get funding for programs such as transitional and permanent housing to help homeless people get back on their feet.
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By Zamná Ávila, Assistant Editor
In his first State of the City address, Jan. 13, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia celebrated development of an Economic and Property Development Department, the creation of a Technology and Innovation Department and commission, and commercial growth.
“Work has begun on an expansion at the Pike that will mean $68 million of new private investment,” Garcia said.“In 2014 alone, we made incredible progress Long Beach won awards in technology, equality and transportation.”
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Courtesy PhotoBy Zamná Ávila, Assistant Editor
Mrs. Karin Bruhnke has worked at San Pedro High School for almost 20 years.
“She is one of the teachers who really cares about her students and wants to make a difference in their [lives].” said Isabela Mejia, 16.
It’s no surprise that her reputation follows her.Brunhke’s efforts were recently recognized by the Carlston Family Foundation with the 2014 Outstanding Teachers of America Award. She is one of only five teachers who earned such honors this year and the only one in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
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Photo By David Johnson
By Zamná Ávila, Assistant Editor
Neecee, who asked that her last name not be included in this article, has been homeless for the past three years.
A couple of weeks ago, Neecee was given permission to shower at a friend’s house. When she returned to the place at Plaza Park where she left her cart, all of her belongings were gone.
“It’s hard to survive after something like that because, you have nothing but the clothes on your back,” she said.
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Photo by David S. JohnsonBy Zamná Ávila, Assistant Editor
For many people the term “nonprofit” canotes a beggar organization for the needy. That’s misleading according to a recent report, The Power of Nonprofits: Engines of Growth.
“The key take away is that the nonprofit is a key factor in the economy,” said Lisa Grobar, one of the authors of the report. “The contributions nonprofits make to the economy are not insignificant. That is not even mentioning the social impacts.”More on page 2 of www.RandomLengthsNews.com

Photo by Phillip CookeBy Assistant Editor Zamná Ávila and Contributor Phillip Cooke
On Nov. 14, authorities are arrested for an armed suspect who ran into the Numero Uno market in San Pedro. Harbor Division Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Gerald Woodyard said that the suspect may be responsible for a number of theft-related crimes in the area in the past couple of weeks. Officers blocked off Pacific Avenue and Mesa Street between 6th Street and 4th Street.

By Zamná Ávila, Assistant Editor
Responding to a wave of community outrage the Port of Los Angeles recently extended its request for proposals from entities to lease a land at 3000 Shoshonean Road land, near Fort MacArthur.
“Many in the community have asked the Port of LA for a couple of years to be sure to include the community input for this RFP,” wrote Laurie Jacobs, a community member and a longtime Girl Scout leader who helped organize a meeting Oct. 28 at Peck Park. “We feel we did not get that opportunity.”
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Filmmaker Cleo Valente is working to bring back the dark shadows and a good crime story to the Harbor Area. She is writing, producing and directing a series in the film noir spirit called, The Port of San Pedro.

Photos by Betty GuevaraBy Zamná Ávila, Assistant Editor
Officials said that the origin and cause of the Sept. 22 Port of Los Angeles fire on Berths 177 and 179, but some damage is yet to be determined.
“At one point, there was fire in the entire length of the wharf,” said LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas, during a news conference on Sept. 23. “The wharf created significant challenges for us. It’s constructed of heavy wood timber — two layers of that. It’s covered with multiple layers of asphalt. The wood is coated in creosote — that’s hydrocarbon carcinogen.”
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Strained relationships with the school board, an acrimonious relationship with the teachers union — to say the least — and a blowing scandal surrounding a pet project may be the end of Superintendent John Deasy’s tenure with the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The negative attention the $1.3 million project, which aimed to give an “iPad for every student, teacher and administrator in the district,” has the superintendent considering whether to step down from his position.